essential ingredients:red or green curry paste (green is a bit sweeter)beef cut in small slivers, chicken meat, shrimp or baked tofufish sauce (it is made from anchovies and adds the salty flavor)Coconut milk (Not the lite kinds...lite on flavor too)basilrice (Jasmine)optional, red chiles

veggies that work well, (at the least use peppers):bell peppers are a must (red and green), cut into large piecesonions, large slicesbamboo shootschopped squash or zucchinichopped eggplantquartered tomatoespotatoes

Steps:First, start your rice. By the time it's finished, your meal will be ready.The trick is to slowly, for just a few minutes, heat a few tablespoons of the curry paste in a a bit of oil in a pot until the oils begin to sizzle and separate (some people add a bit of cooking oil - ok to omit.)Then add the fat from the can of coconut mile and simmer that for a few minutes.Then add the rest of the can of coconut milk (one or two can work well), a tablespoon of brown sugar, a tablespoon or two of fish sauce.Add the meat or tofu an cook until done (I usually add my tofu at the very end, after baking).Add the veggies and cook for a mere ten minutes...don't over cook the veggies. I like them bright and still a little crisp.If you add potatoes, you'll want to cook longer. Try not to let is get past a simmer.Top it off with fresh basil and pepper slices just before you serve over the steamed rice. The key is to heat this all very gently, allowing the fats to separate. Super fast, beautiful, and delicious every time!

If you want to knock your socks off with flavor, add some fresh kaffir lime leaves and lemongrass, but I hardly ever remember to buy those parts and it's still turns out great. -Jenny Buller